Live Tonight: Kool Keith, The 1975, Franz Ferdinand, More!

Kool Keith aka Dr. Octagon It’s common in rap for MCs to adopt certain alter egos. On his website, Kool Keith offers brief biographies of all of his—53, to be exact. From his start as a break-dancer named Activity and time as a member of the Ultramagnetic MCs through Black Elvis and Lotion Man to his Twitter handle UltraMan7000, Keith claims to be the inventor of the hip-hop persona. In a recent interview with VladTV, he said: “I don’t feel like I need to be one person, because if you be gangster then you gotta be gangster all your life, if you be this guy you gotta be the lover all your life.” It seems that the one constant in Keith’s life is change, as the cliché goes; despite his threats to retire, a new double album drops in May. With SlowDance, Ricky and Mark, Mic Flont feat. OTOW Gang. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442, neumos.com. 8 p.m. $15 adv. MICHAEL F. BERRY

The 1975 play the Showbox tonight.

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There’s a cinematic quality to The 1975’s self-titled debut, a release whose tracks “Sex” and “Chocolate” made it seem like the soundtrack of a modern-day John Hughes movie. Hints of ’80s pop, ’90s R&B, and the band’s indie-rock base make tales of aimless drives and the highs and lows of love relatable to millennials everywhere. With Bad Suns, Sir Sly. The Showbox, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151, showboxonline.com. 8:45 p.m. SOLD OUT. All ages. AZARIA C. PODPLESKY

When Franz Ferdinand released its game-changing LP You Could Have It So Much Better in 2005, it was heralded alongside Arctic Monkeys as the possible future of rock. That didn’t happen, but despite its inability to shoulder the hopes of an entire genre, the band’s kept busy and put out a couple of solid-rocking records, including last year’s, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action. With Cate LeBon. Showbox SoDo. 8 p.m. $31.50–$34. CR

A round of applause, please, for Jefferson Starship founders Paul Kantner and David Friedberg, both in their 70s, still on the road, and celebrating 40 years together—which is about as long as “We Built This City” has been stuck in my head. But don’t worry, that one’s not on the set list. Snoqualmie Casino, 37500 S.E. North Bend Way, Snoqualmie, 425-888-1234, snocasino.com. 7 p.m. $26–$47. 21 and over. DAVE J. LAKE

After releasing several EP’s, Seattle “doom-gaze” band He Whose Ox is Gored is putting together the final touches on its first full-length, The Camel, the Lion, the Child. Produced by Matt Bayles (Mastodon, Botch, Isis), it’s the best representation of the band Ox has become, with signature synth layers and post-hardcore riffs galore. With Haunted Horses, Diesto, Drunk Dad. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880, sunsettavern.com. 9 p.m. $8 adv. 21 and over. JAMES BALLINGER

Hot ’n’ Readies is the cover band you wish had live-scored your first makeout party. Its repertoire is as diverse—including covers of Beastie Boys, the Cranberries, and Bell Biv DeVoe—as its lineup, comprising members of TacocaT, Ex Girlfriend, Terrordactyls, and Coyotes. With Dead Hot. Waid’s, 1212 E. Jefferson St., 328-6493, waidshouseoflove.com. 9 p.m. $7. 21 and over. DIANA M. LE